gak1965 Posted August 8, 2022 Share #1 Posted August 8, 2022 Dumb question that I haven't found an obvious answer to using simple searches. Why did Niagara and Constitution (and I presume other ships) have spritsail yards that did not have sails bent? I understand the physical reason why they didn't have a sail due to being blocked by the dolphin striker, martingales, etc. But why wasn't the yard itself eliminated with the sail? It must have served some purpose or, as Long Jack would say, "twould be overboard", although certainly by the time the clippers came along they were gone. Thanks, George K mtaylor and Dave_E 2 Quote Current Builds: Bluejacket USS Kearsarge, RRS Discovery 1:72 scratch Completed Builds: Model Shipways 1:96 Flying Fish | Model Shipways 1:64 US Brig Niagara | Model Shipways 1:64 Pride of Baltimore II (modified) | Midwest Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack | Heller 1:150 Passat | Revell 1:96 USS Constitution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr PR Posted August 9, 2022 Share #2 Posted August 9, 2022 Some vessels used the spritsail yards as spreaders - similar to how crosstrees and spreaders are used in topmasts to support the shrouds and stays. Jib boom stays were often routed through the ends of the spritsail yards to create a more stable triangular support for the ends of the jib boom. mtaylor and popeye2sea 2 Quote Phil Current build: USS Cape MSI-2 Current build: Albatros topsail schooner Previous build: USS Oklahoma City CLG-5 CAD model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted August 9, 2022 Share #3 Posted August 9, 2022 6 hours ago, Dr PR said: Some vessels used the spritsail yards as spreaders Makes sense Phil, just as the cross jack carried no sail but was needed for the spread of mizzen top sail. Allan mtaylor 1 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gak1965 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted August 9, 2022 That makes sense. It's certainly true that on the Niagara the jibboom stays are routed onto the spritsail yard. So the spritsail yard lifts and braces basically become 'standing' rigging to anchor the yard in 3 dimensions since it's basically just lashed onto the bowsprit? mtaylor and popeye2sea 2 Quote Current Builds: Bluejacket USS Kearsarge, RRS Discovery 1:72 scratch Completed Builds: Model Shipways 1:96 Flying Fish | Model Shipways 1:64 US Brig Niagara | Model Shipways 1:64 Pride of Baltimore II (modified) | Midwest Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack | Heller 1:150 Passat | Revell 1:96 USS Constitution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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